The 2016 growing season was ideal. We started  with some nice rain quantities in the winter months which lead to early bud break and healthy canopies.  Flowering was a bit longer than normal which caused some uneven cluster development but was balanced out by moderate temperatures during the summer months. This allowed the berries to swell to above average size and quantities for tons per acre. This also meant very juicy berries which in turn gave us higher than normal gallons per ton.

2016 harvest was fast and furious.  We started the harvest on August 29th and brought in the last fruit on September 29th. The heat spike that we had from September 19th – 22nd  really pushed the fruit to ripeness quickly and we brought in close to 40% of our total fruit in just 7 days. As for wine quality, I could not be happier. The wines of 2016 are soft and pretty with big fruit and mild tannins and are very well balanced already. Good things to come!

Cheers,

Tres Goetting, Winemaker

Robert Biale Vineyards
4038 Big Ranch Road
Napa CA, 94558